3 Tips for Preventing Split Ends and Breakage

Split ends and damaged hair are a curse. There is arguably no such thing as a good hair day when your hair is is like a frizzy ball of fuzz. Not only do split ends create frizziness, they can also lead to breakage, which is a total nightmare. Even worse, is that the ends will continue to split up all the way up to the root unless you intervene. To fix split ends, you have to cut them off, which can be daunting, especially if you are fond of the length of your hair..

Split ends can be caused by overuse of styling tools like flat irons and hot rollers, chemical processing, or just brushing your hair improperly. We all get split ends from time to time, but there are ways to care for your hair and help minimize split ends, damage, and breakage. While natural hair styling products that are free of harsh chemicals are invaluable in the battle for beautiful hair, that is only a first line of defense.

Keep reading to learn more about how to keep your hair healthy, manageable, and free of split ends.

Trim Your Ends Regularly

If you’re trying to grow your hair long, it may seem counterintuitive to trim your hair. However, the key to growing and maintaining long, healthy hair is to get into the habit of getting regular haircuts. Not only will this help keep your ends healthy, it’s also the best way to prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shafts.

PROTIP: To ensure healthy growth and keep split ends at bay, most stylists recommend getting a trim every 6-8 weeks.

One useful method is a technique known as “dusting.” This involves trimming off about a half an inch, which helps preserve your length while snipping off the split end to prevent further fraying. Dusting works for all hair types and will greatly benefit the health and structure of your hair.

Wash Your Hair Less Often

Your hair is porous, and very sponge-like. Water causes the individual shafts of hair to swell from the inside out. This forces the cuticle open,and when this happens too frequently, it can potentially cause the hair to become frizzy and more susceptible to breakage. So the less often you wash your hair, the stronger it can potentially be. But it’s important to shampoo properly.

The worst thing you can do when it comes shampoo is to dump it all of it on top of your head and vigorously rub. This can damage the strands of hair and leave you with less than desirable results. Instead, wash your scalp to break up any oils, grime, or other buildup, and let the suds slide down onto the rest of your hair. And it’s always a good idea to use shampoo and conditioner that are sulphate and paraben free, as these chemicals can dry out the hair.

When you wash your hair, it is important to properly condition afterwards. But it is also very important not to over-condition your hair, as this can promote oil buildup on the scalp. Use only a small amount of conditioner, and skip a day between washing and conditioning whenever possible.

Air Dry Your Hair

Wet hair is far more fragile, and has much more potential for breakage than dry hair. Drying your hair with a towel can cause damage to the strands of your hair and cause frizziness. Wet hair also becomes more elastic, and if it stretches, it becomes at risk of breakage. It is less than ideal to comb, brush, or tie your hair into a ponytail until your hair has dried completely.

If you blow dry, use hair dryer sparingly. Try to limit your use of a hair dryer as much as you can, and allow your hair to air-dry naturally instead. If you do use a hair dryer, don’t hold it too close to your hair, or use too high of a heat setting, as this will cause your hair to burn.

You should also be kind to your hair when brushing. Start at the ends and work your way up the strands. Gently, and gradually comb through tangles rather than brushing your hair from root to end. Try using a paddle brush with flexible bristles to detangle hair without breaking and yanking.

Conclusion

While there are quite a few other methods to prevent your hair from falling prey to split ends and breakage, these are 3 major areas to pay attention to, and a good place to start when maintaining the health and appearance of your hair.

Share a comment with your best hair care tips, and let us know how you avoid split ends.